On the eve of the Canadian Hockey League season, Sportsnet magazine polled coaches and executives from every CHL team about their respective leagues. We asked 14 questions covering everything from best overall player to hardest hitter to MasterCard Memorial Cup favourite.
We’ll be rolling out all the answers in the coming days. We begin with…
Everyone knows Marner, the London Knight who lost the scoring title in 2014-15 on the last day of the season and then went fourth overall to the Maple Leafs in the NHL Draft. He’s back in the OHL again this season and primed for another big campaign.
There was a three-way tie in the QMJHL. Rouyn-Noranda’s Perron went sixth overall in the 2012 Q draft and 190th to Ottawa in the 2014 NHL Draft. After posting 76 points last season, the 19-year-old is off to a hot start with 10 points in his fist six games.
Daniel Sprong surpised by making the Pittsburgh Penguins’ opening-day lineup after being drafted 46th overall in June. If he doesn’t stick with the Pens, he’ll tear it up with Charlottetown.
Then there’s Conor Garland, Moncton’s captain and the reigning league MVP. After 129 points last season he saw time with the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL’s pre-season. Back with the Wildcats, he has 13 points in his first four games.
In the Dub, Moose Jaw’s Brayden Point took home the honours. Opponents are finding out why early. He has, ho-hum, seven points in his first two contests.
What else is there to say about these guys? They’re big-bodied, big hitters, and opponents keep their heads on swivels whenever these three are on the ice.
Everyone’s favourite category wasn’t much of a contest except in the Dub, where forwards Sam Steel and Tyler Benson tied for top spot (FYI, Nolan Patrick is a late birthday and not eligible until 2017, which tells you how good he is). The latter is injured to start the year, while the former has three points in his first four games. But when these kids hit their strides, watch out.
Check back soon for more from our poll. Next up, the team categories: best chance to surprise as well as league and Memorial Cup favourites.
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